Beaufort District Collection Connections Blog

October, 2011

Civil War history fans have a broad variety of options over the next 2 weeks to satisfy their cravings to learn more about this pivotal event in United States history. Some opportunities are free. Some opportunities require tickets. Some opportunities require the payment of fees.

The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Port Royal is almost upon us. On Monday, Nov. 7th, the true anniversary, Michael D. Coker, author of The Battle of Port Royal, will talk about his research into the “pivotal turning point” of the Civil War that occurred in our area. The naval engagement involved two forts in Beaufort District (Fort Beauregard on Bay Point and Fort Walker on Hilton Head) and the “largest fleet ever assembled by the United States” up to 1861.

Their talk will enhance the arrival of “The Life & Times of Congressman Robert Smalls” traveling exhibit. Under the auspices of the South Carolina State Museum, the exhibit will be at the Verdier House until December 20.

People from all over the world came together to create the United States, and people continue to arrive here from many corners of the earth. It is the responsibility of the National Park Service to preserve the historic places and stories of America’s diverse cultural heritage.

The man described by Dr. Rowland as "the most hated man in the Beaufort District" (History of Beaufort County, South Carolina, vol. 1, p. 417) is the subject of an article in the South Carolina Historical Magazine. (SCHM is running about a year behind the publication date on the cover.)

The Archaeological Society of South Carolina, Hilton Head Chapter celebrates Archaeology Month with a lecture by Colin Brooker on Tuesday, October 18th at 1 pm at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn. Brooker is an expert on "Worldwide Tabby Architecture," and supervised the stabilization of the ruins on Dataw Island.

The lecture and meeting are free and open to the public. For further information, please contact George Stubbs- 843-363-5058 www.assc.net.

September, 2011

Banned Books Week (BBW) is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States. BBW 2011 runs from September 24th through October 1st.

Throughout the year, the Beaufort District Collection brings in authors and speakers on a variety of topics meeting our mission to share information about the history, culture, and environment of our area.

Today we honor the United States Constitution and the vigorous debate about what it says, what the Founders meant, and what it means for Americans 224 years after the document was signed at the Convention in 1787. (The Bill of Rights, ratification, and implementation all came later.)